I really do think the best case scenario would be giving one of our 3rd's to Cleveland or Buffalo to move up for Lane Johnson. He's a top notch tackle prospect who is only getting better.

Tough to trade with Division Rival Buffalo, and I don't see Cleveland or Arizona, for that matter, trading back to 12 for a No. 3. Cleveland would lose out on Jarvis Jones or Dee Milliner. Arizona is definitely targeting a QB.

One thing that hasn't been discussed is Odrick to the Raiders for their 3rd, then we get Milliner. A lot of Mocks have the Raiders targeting DT with their 1st pick. I like Odrick, but he's playing out of position. Milliner has potential to be one of the best CBs in the league. Though, I hate to see Odrick go, I think there's greater value in Milliner.

According to league sources, the Dolphins have had extensive talks with Kansas City about acquiring Branden Albert for a second-round pick, and team sources acknowledge a trade could be finalized before next Thursday's NFL draft.

Quote:

Albert, who won't be participating in Kansas City's offseason program, and is presently training in South Florida, is adamant about remaining a left tackle.

If this comes to fruition, doesn't this mean we're stuck paying for his franchise tag cap # this season, AND extending him? Jesus if that is true I REALLY hope this does not happen. Albert doesn't come across as a very likable, team first guy to me.

Brandon Albert does not fit the blocking scheme Andy Reid wants to implement, which is a power blocking scheme. Albert has played the last few years in a zone blocking scheme, which is what the Dolphins use.

The designated franchise player will have his one year salary guaranteed if he elects to play for the team that designated him with the franchise tag and if he does not negotiate a contract with another team.

Despite being in a position to form one of the NFL's most formidable offensive lines in the league by allowing Albert to hang around, new head coach Andy Reid and his staff are actively shopping the veteran tackle and have named their asking price (h/t Adam Schefter):

" Adam Schefter ✔ @AdamSchefter

Chiefs are seeking a second-round pick in this year's draft as well as another pick in 2014 in a trade for franchise OT Branden Albert.11:25 AM - 22 Mar 2013 "

The asking price for Albert is not outrageous by any means. He's played at a consistently high level since being selected in the first round of the 2008 draft, and he has acted as the anchor over the years while he protected the blind side for his quarterbacks.

What will cause some hesitation with any potential suitors is his recent injury history. Albert missed three games last season with a back injury but has missed just four games overall during his four-year tenure in Kansas City.

Reid and Co. slapped the franchise tag on Albert, so he'll be guaranteed $9.828 million in 2013, according to Mike Garafolo of USA Today:

Presumably, the Chiefs used the tag as a way to give themselves more time to get value from Albert's departure. Any team that wants to trade for him now also has to sign him to a long-term contract, something the Chiefs and Albert are still reportedly far apart on, according to Peter King of SI.

While the extra picks would be nice, keeping Albert around for at least 2013 is the smart play for the franchise. After all, this is the man who ranked as the No. 25 overall tackle in the NFL last season in Pro Football Focus' rankings (subscription required).

Albert was experiencing his best year as a pro last season before he succumbed to injury. There are conflicting reports as to whether or not he is fully healthy and will be the same, but Albert himself makes a very compelling argument on the matter (h/t Mike Garafolo, USA Today):

"I just had nothing more than back spasms (last season). I tried to come back early and it flared up again. I haven't had any setbacks or things I couldn't do because of my back. That's the God's honest truth. If there was something wrong with my back, do you think the Chiefs would franchise me and give me $10 million?"

The man has a point. He passed a physical with the team before Kansas City made the investment to franchise tag him. It's a "prove-it" deal, and the Chiefs would be wise to keep him at left tackle.

The Dolphins remain interested in trading for Chiefs tackle Branden Albert, and if completed would then likely target a cornerback with their first-round pick, according to league sources.

Miami is among the teams to discuss a deal with the Chiefs and continues to pursue that option, sources said, with the Chiefs seeking at least a second-round pick in return.

The Dolphins, while making a splash in free agency, have yet to replace the loss of left tackle Jake Long and top corner Sean Smith, and their priority is to do both, with acquiring a tackle now their goal, sources said. The team is very high on Alabama corner Dee Milliner, and he would be a prime target with the 12th overall pick if they can land Albert (Cleveland, with the sixth-overall pick, is looking hard at Milliner).

While this draft does have some alluring tackle prospects, the reality is Luke Joeckel will go first overall, sources said, and Eric Fisher will go in the top five. Miami is high on Oklahoma tackle Lane Johnson, who is rising, but if they can land Albert that would free them up, and Arizona and San Diego, picking ahead of the Dolphins, are also high on Johnson, sources said, and Alabama tackle DJ Fluker could also be selected before Miami picks.

If the Dolphins are able to complete a deal for Albert -- teams have been made aware by the Chiefs what Albert is looking for in compensation (he is currently on the franchise tag) -- and Milliner is gone before they pick, they also are among the teams very high on West Virginia receiver Tavon Austin, but he, too, is generating top-10 buzz. Austin might be there at 12, but teams are considering moving up to land him, and he is in play with the Jets picking ninth, as well.

The Dolphins are juggling all of these scenarios, but getting some certainty at tackle prior to the draft would allow them to focus more elsewhere, and their interest in Albert is very real.

The Chiefs are planning to draft a left tackle first overall, in Joeckel, so getting value for Albert is their priority.

Branden Albert is doing what a lot of guys do that have the Franchise Tag. These workouts are voluntary. The players that are Franchised show up for mandatory workouts.

Randy Starks is not at the Dolphins voluntary workouts.

The fact that the Dolphins are possibly looking into this avenue tells me they are not sold on the so called Big 3, or the picks wanted to move up is to rich for the Dolphins.

Speaks to what they think of Martin's chances of being the answer as well.

I'm not sure how much I buy this.

jam, if they are to the point of Albert taking a physical, this process is pretty far along.

Now that I see several national guys reporting on this I know there is some fire. It did seem like Martin beefed up and took his need to improve strength seriously. I guess Miami doesn't want to leave that to chance.

I hope we don't engage in either scenario, especially the Albert trade. I really do not like the cap situation he would bring, if anything we should ink John Abraham.

What cap situation will it bring?

Rich, can you explain the Dolphins cap situation now? It's my understanding Miami will get an additional 10.1 million in cap space on June 1st for releasing Dansby and Burnett. Is that true? Can Miami exceed their cap before June 1st because more money is coming after? I am trying to understand just how much more money Miami can spend and when they can spend it. Thanks!!

No problem at all in giving up a 2nd round pick for Albert. Of course, we'll have to work out a contract with him as he is franchised with the Chiefs. He'll be expensive.

On second thought, I take that back. We drafted Martin to be our future LT and he looks to added some upper body bulk. Let's see if he can take the next step forward at his natural LT position. I just don't believe in paying big for every player that fills a hole ... especially with all the money we've spent so far.

What would it take to move up to Cleveland's #6 selection and grab Milliner? Is that worth it to plug our two biggest holes?

picks 12, 54 and 146

So our first, 2nd second, and fifth. Factoring in giving our 1st second for Albert, that would give us Dee Milliner in the first, Branden Albert in the second, and still with 2 thirds to add a pass rusher.

I think they will offer Brandon what they offered Jake per year, or a little less.

Really? Do you think based on performance they feel Albert deserves a lesser offer? I mean I love Jake, but was his play last year deserving of a higher offer than Albert's play last year?

k, at one point Jake Long was considered THE best OLT in football. The last 2 years, injuries have really taken there toll on Jake and his play has slipped.

Branden Albert is a very good OLT, but at his best, he was not a Jake Long caliber of player. So, yes, I think the Dolphins are looking at the Jake Long contract or probably a little less. No one in the market this year is getting HUGE money.

As far as folks talking about the money, OLT get GOOD money. You are going to HAVE to pay one eventually. Miami has done to many good things to possibly trust the OLT spot to a rookie, no matter the talent or potential that is perceived to be there.

Now the Dolphins still could decide to go the rookie route, but that would make me as nervous as the thought of Jonathan Martin manning the spot. I will say I feel a lot better about Martin after I have seen and read some of the reports on him from voluntary workouts.